Penn vs Princeton - US university comparison
KEY DATA
HEAD-TO-HEAD STATISTICS
The verdict, from the data
Statistically these are twins: on every comparable axis the differences sit within the noise.
Average aid for an international student is $86,736 (Princeton) and $75,356 (Penn).
The one that looks dearer ends up cheaper: Princeton lists $95,624 against $92,524 (Penn), but after average aid what remains is $16,304 against $21,553.
At 4.4% and 5.4%, both admissions processes remain a lottery for any candidate; the difference between them is not an argument here.
The indicators describe a university as a whole, and your own course can sit a long way from that average.
Every sentence above comes from a field we hold in canonical. Where the data is missing, or the gap is small enough to be noise, the sentence simply does not appear.
EXPERT TAKE
Princeton is the more selective of the two (4.42% vs 5.4% acceptance). Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world research ranking (#14 vs #7). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment are effectively tied ($111K vs $110K). Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $71,236 per year).
Both universities have complete, comparable data in canonical - the choice should come down to fit (campus culture, major, aid package) alongside the differences visible in the numbers below.
Choose Penn for: higher graduate earnings.
Choose Princeton for: a higher world ranking, higher selectivity, a higher graduation rate.
College Council Atlas analysis · IPEDS / College Scorecard CDS 2024-25, ARWU 2024.
BY THE NUMBERS
Princeton is more selective (4.42% vs 5.4% acceptance); Penn has a higher median SAT (1553 vs 1530).
Penn graduates earn a higher median 10 years after enrollment ($111K vs $110K); Princeton has a higher 6-year graduation rate (97.6% vs 96.5%).
Princeton has lower sticker-price tuition ($68,454 vs $71,236); Princeton offers a larger average aid package ($79,320 vs $70,971).
VALUE LANDSCAPE
FULL DATA TABLE
| Metric | Penn | Princeton |
|---|---|---|
| World rank · ARWU | #14 | #7 |
| Rank · THE | - | #4 |
| Acceptance rate | 5.4% | 4.42% |
| Yield rate | 68% | 75.4% |
| Median SAT | 1553 | 1530 |
| Avg. GPA | 3.90 | 3.96 |
| Number of applications | 65,236 | 42,303 |
| International students | 13.3% | 13.1% |
| Median earnings · 10 yrs | $111K | $110K |
| Bottom 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $70K | $68K |
| Top 25% earnings · 10 yrs | $183K | $197K |
| Graduation rate | 96.5% | 97.6% |
| Retention rate | 98.8% | 99% |
| Median debt | $15,715 | $10,320 |
| Tuition · year | $71,236 | $68,454 |
| Avg. aid package | $70,971 | $79,320 |
| % of need met | 100% | 100% |
| Avg. graduate debt | $32,558 | $21,251 |
| Application fee | $75 | $75 |
| Enrollment | 24,023 | 9,281 |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is it harder to get into Penn or Princeton?
It's harder to get into Princeton. Penn accepts 5.4% of applicants, while Princeton accepts 4.42%.
Do Penn or Princeton graduates earn more?
Earnings are practically equal - 10 years after enrollment, the median is $111K at Penn and $110K at Princeton.
How much is tuition at Penn vs Princeton?
Sticker-price tuition is $71,236 per year at Penn and $68,454 per year at Princeton.
What SAT score do you need for Penn or Princeton?
The median admitted SAT score is 1553 at Penn and 1530 at Princeton; aim for these values or higher to be competitive.
Which university ranks higher - Penn or Princeton?
Princeton ranks higher in the ARWU world ranking: #14 for Penn vs #7 for Princeton.
Which university offers more financial aid - Penn or Princeton?
The average aid package is $70,971 at Penn and $79,320 at Princeton.
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